Dental Implant Recovery: How Long Does the Pain Last?
South Ken MD Team
Dental implants are among the most popular tooth replacement treatments because of the quality they provide. A dental implant is implanted directly into the jaw so that it feels and appears like a normal tooth. It gives the bite the strength of a healthy tooth and will last for the rest of your life.
If you are considering or going to have a dental implant, you could anticipate that there will be some pain involved in the process — it is a surgical process after all. But how long do you have to bear the pain after having a dental implant? Here's what to anticipate during your recovery from dental implant surgery.
Your First Few Days: What to Expect
Within the first 2 to 3 days after your procedure, you are most likely to have the greatest discomfort of this implant journey. Some patients would say it is pain, but others only describe it as a slight discomfort. This is when swelling and inflammation are the highest after your procedure, so it is natural that you would feel more uncomfortable during the first few days.
Managing Early Discomfort
Most patients usually report that the discomfort they experience is easily manageable with pain relievers bought over the counter. If they are not effective, your dentist might prescribe a stronger pain killer for your pain management.
- Avoid causing irritation to the area by consuming soft foods
- Stay away from hot liquids
- Apply ice in 20-minute on and 20-minute off cycles to minimise inflammation and swelling
Pain Should Decrease by Days 4 to 7
By the time you arrive at the fourth day following your implant surgery, you should be past the worst of the discomfort and begin to feel better. You should be able to eat more foods and slowly decrease or stop your pain medication. Swelling should have decreased drastically, decreasing inflammation and irritation. By this time you are likely back to your normal daily routine like work and exercise.
2-3
days peak discomfort
4-7
days pain decreases
7-10
days feeling fine
2 wks
max full recovery
One Week After the Treatment
Within a week or possibly 10 days after your dental implant surgery, you should be feeling fine. Your pain should be gone for the most part and you should be eating and drinking as normal. Some patients take up to 2 weeks to completely recover, depending on if you have any sort of medical condition that will make you take longer to heal from injury or surgery.
Pain Still Remaining After More Than 2 Weeks?
It is not quite normal to continue to have significant pain even after 2 weeks following the placement of your dental implant. It may indicate that you have a post-surgical infection or other problem preventing the area of your implant from healing properly. Don't neglect the pain as it may result in a failed implant. The infection may even turn life-threatening. Call your dentist and schedule an appointment for an examination.
Factors That May Cause More Pain
Other than normal pain occurring due to a complication-free procedure, there may also be other factors that cause additional pain and discomfort:
Loose Healing Cap
At times, the tiny screw within the top of the implant loosens during healing. Here, the dentist will have to remove the cap, sanitise it and then reposition it. In the meantime, it might irritate you.
Loose Implant
If there isn't sufficient bone mass in the jaw, the dental implant becomes loose. This is painful and often hurts. In most instances, the dentist will have to take the implant out and put in a new one.
Infection
Any gum infection can be painful too. If it is discovered early enough, it may be curable.
Rejection of the Implant
In some cases, a dental implant is unable to integrate with the patient's bone, resulting in a failed implant rejected by the body. If this is in your case, it can lead to loosening of the implant, thereby causing pain.
Bone Burn
This complication is not much common, but it has occurred. If excessive heat is generated during drilling, it may cause thermal injury to the bone, potentially compromising healing. The implant and the damaged bone will have to be removed by the dentist if this occurs.
Nerve Damage
This one is also uncommon. If the implant is placed too close to a nerve, it may result in numbness, tingling, or pain. This is rare but requires immediate dental assessment.
Considering dental implants? Book a consultation with our expert dentists at South Kensington MD.
Book Implant ConsultationTips for Pain Management Post Dental Implant Surgery
There are many things you can do to assist with controlling and reducing the pain you might feel from dental implant surgery:
Pick the Right Dentist
While picking the cheapest dentist may sound like a good idea, it's not a great plan. An experienced dentist will provide better guidance and results.
Follow Aftercare Instructions
No matter whatever your dentist instructs you to do following the procedure, make sure you follow them. It is important for your oral health.
Use Ice Packs
Within the first couple of days, apply ice to make the area numb and reduce swelling. Use ice packs or frozen vegetables wrapped in a cloth.
Rest Properly
Ensure that you let your body and jaw have ample time to rest. Do not do any stressful work or lift anything heavy.
- Medication: Your dentist may suggest painkillers following the procedure. If the suggested dose is not easing the pain, call your dentist to discuss increasing the amount or using different medication.
- Salt Water: Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water gently can ease the pain and combat infection-causing bacteria.
- Cold and Soft Foods: Skip hard foods and candies during your recovery and opt for predominantly cold and soft foods like yogurt, smoothies and pureed foods.
- Maintaining Oral Hygiene: Use dental floss and brush your teeth 2 to 3 times a day. Your dentist may advise not to brush the area of surgery.
Conclusion
Although dental implants hurt, which isn't a surprise, pain should not last for more than 10 days. If it does, see your dentist at once. Meanwhile, there are numerous methods of coping with the pain, such as over the counter painkillers, ice and rest. And it's merely little pain for an entire lifetime of new and gorgeous teeth!
At South Kensington MD, we implement the latest technology to precisely place dental implants with a minimally invasive approach that can hasten your procedure and recovery, and make it more comfortable.
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